Summertime Fingerfood Snack Table

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It may sound odd, but I actually lose weight in the summer. If you live down south, then I can guarantee that you know what I’m talking about. It’s so darn hot during the day, even indoors with the air conditioning. It’s difficult to have much of an appetite when it’s this hot. I typically eat light during the summer months, and I’ve noticed the kids do the same. The only fun relief that we get from the heat is an afternoon of water play. We blow up the kiddie pools and splash the day away. When we do this, I always create what we lovingly call a Drive-By Bites Mini Party, but that’s just a fancy way to say a Summertime Fingerfood Snack Table (including Kraft dips).

Do you know what Drive-By Bites are? It’s basically an eat and run concept. You know, when the kiddos are still small and the world is so big and new that stopping to eat is a ginormous inconvenience. We set up a table in the shade, and we fill it with bottled water and snacks. It doesn’t take long, and today I’m going to highlight a few items from my table- Baked Zucchini Slices and a tutorial for Party Dipping Cups.

Baked Zucchini Slices

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Italian dressing
• 3 medium zucchini
• 2/3 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• Cooking spray

Spray two cookie sheets with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Slice the zucchini into thin rounds, the smaller the better (1/4″ or less). Cover the zucchini with the Italian dressing. In a medium bowl, stir the Panko bread crumbs and the Parmesan cheese. Dip each zucchini round in the mixture. Lay it on the cookie sheet. So not overlap the slices. Bake for 15 minutes, then check for doneness. Let the slices continue baking if you want them crispy as long as the seasoning does not become to overdone. The ones in the picture below are firm but still soft.

These Baked Zucchini Slices go great with a Kraft dip! Kraft French Onion Dip, Kraft Green Onion Dip, and Kraft Bacon Cheddar Dip are yummy additions to any party or snack table. We are trying out the Kraft French Onion Dip in our tablescape below.

The Kraft Dips are handy to keep in the refrigerator for an assortment of entertaining occasions. Find them in the refrigerated section at Walmart. Keep an eye out for the new packaging, as shown below. The new Kraft Dips packaging makes it easy to spot on the shelf.

Any time fingerfoods and dip are served, I’ve noticed a dilemma. What is the best way to serve a fingerfood with dip? In a bowl? On a plate? What if you have picky kids who like to keep their food and dip separate until they have actually dipped them on their own? I’ve solved that at our house with these Party Dip Cups.

Party Dip Cup

This easy DIY is designed to be portable for a party while keeping the dip and food separate for dipping fun!

Here is how to create these:

Supplies:

• Large paper snack cup
• Mini cups
• Hot glue gun OR very heavy duty glue

Place one snack cup and one mini cup together. Determine the contact points for the two cups.

Now it’s time to apply the glue. PLEASE NOTE: If using hot glue, only apply the hot glue to the paper cup, then attach the plastic cup. Applying hot glue directly to the plastic cup will melt through the plastic and create a hole. Apply the hot glue to the paper cup at the contact points, and then press the plastic mini cup to join the two cups together. If using a heavy duty glue, you can apply the glue to either cup first. If using glue other than hot glue, note that you may have to press the cups together for a minute or two to create a firm bond.

Now, you’re ready to add fingerfoods and a Kraft dip!

The portability of these cups makes it easy to grab a snack and go when the kids are having too much summer fun to sit still long enough to eat.

Setting up an outdoor fingerfoods table is simple. I always invest in a few fun, coordinating entertaining pieces that are lightweight and easy to transfer no matter where our play takes us.

Transport napkins, forks, spoons, and straws easily in a utensil caddy. Purchase a drink container with handles so that you can carry it from place to place or even throw it in a vehicle. Use stackable containers or cardboard box containers that are lightweight while still holding a lot of food. And, of course, use the Party Dip Cups that you’ve made for easy fingerfoods and dip!

Want more recipes to pair with Kraft dip? Check out more delicious recipes at Kraft.com! Let me know if you have a favorite!